SkyLex Health

Carson Liu, MD, FACS

Orbera Balloon Specialist

Used for years in Europe, the Orbera balloon (or weight loss balloon) is now available for patients in the U.S. Dr. Liu has the training and experience to offer the technique to Santa Monica, Orange County, and Los Angeles, CA, patients looking for a minimally invasive technique for effective, long-term weight loss.

Orbera Balloon Q & A

What is a gastric weight loss balloon?

A gastric balloon is a weight loss device that's placed in your stomach and filled with saline (salt water) solution, helping patients feel fuller so they eat less and lose weight. The balloon is placed in the stomach during a simple, in-office procedure with no incisions.

ORBERA™ combines gastric balloon, a clinically tested and proven medical device, with your own customized plan and support team to effectively manage weight loss. The comprehensive, two-part program starts with a soft balloon placed in your stomach for six months to encourage portion control. Dr. Liu and his team of support experts will then help guide you through a diet and exercise program.

At six months, the balloon is removed and your support team will continue to guide you toward making healthy lifestyle choices.

They will help you retrain your appetite, adopt new nutritional habits, and establish a reasonable exercise routine that will be essential to your long-term success.

What are the benefits of ORBERA™ compared to other weight loss procedures?

Gastric weight loss balloons like ORBERA™ can be used without the need for invasive surgery and the risks and recovery associated with surgery. No changes are made to the digestive tract – the stomach and small intestine remain intact. Plus, gastric balloons don't require long-term drug therapy. And the balloon can be easily removed without surgery once weight loss has been achieved.

After six months with the ORBERA™ two-part program, people lost an average 3.1x the weight patients lost with diet & exercise alone.

Custom support provided by a team of experts.

Learn healthy habits to help you keep the weight off even after the balloon is removed.

A more than 20-year history of helping thousands of people lose weight.

With the FDA approval of ORBERA™, patients now have a safe and effective treatment option.

How is an ORBERA™ gastric balloon placed in the stomach?

Dr. Liu uses an endoscope, a special instrument used in many gastric procedures, to position the balloon in the stomach and to fill it with saline once it's in place. The entire procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and you'll be sedated ahead of time. The balloon can be removed using the same type of procedure once your weight loss goals have been achieved. As a result of the endoscopic approach, you may sometimes hear a gastric balloon-like ORBERA™ referred to as an endoscopic gastric balloon or weight loss balloon.

How can ORBERA™ help me achieve long-term weight loss?

Because ORBERA™ helps you feel full after small meals, it makes it easier to stick with diet plans and to establish new eating habits that help you feel full after smaller meals even once the balloon is removed.

What can I expect from this treatment?

With ORBERA™, people lost an average 3.1x the weight patients lost with diet & exercise alone. The comprehensive two-part weight loss program will help you create healthy lifestyle habits and maintain your weight loss over time.

Most weight is lost in the first three months, but because the gastric balloon stays in for six months, you will learn the right amount of food to eat to maintain your new weight.

How much weight might I lose?

Studies indicate patients lose a significant amount of weight during the six months after the balloon is implanted, with average weight loss of about 44 pounds.

Has this treatment been clinically tested and approved by the FDA?

Now available in the U.S., ORBERA™ is a clinically tested and proven non-surgical weight loss solution that has helped people in over 80 countries. ORBERA™ has been used to assist with weight loss for over 20 years, and more than 200,00 devices have been distributed worldwide. Unlike fad programs, this FDA-approved system simply delivers results without the need for surgery.

What support will I receive to help me meet long-term weight loss goals?

Once the balloon is in place, you’ll receive your own customized diet and exercise plan and coaching from Dr. Liu and a support team of experts to help keep you motivated, provide advice, coordinate your program, and help you work through weight loss barriers.

Here’s a breakdown of your support team:

ORBERA™ Specialist - a licensed doctor of medicine specializing in the field of weight loss.

Professional Dietitian an expert on human nutrition and diet focusing on areas of disease prevention and weight maintenance.

Exercise Psychologist a professional specializing in creating exercise plans designed to prevent illness and restore health and well-being.

What will it cost?

Actual costs will vary, so please call our office directly if you have questions about pricing. We will be happy to assist you in understanding your costs and financing options.

Is ORBERA™ right for me?

While ORBERA™ does not require surgery, any medical procedure requires careful thought and consideration.

To qualify for ORBERA™:

Be an adult

Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 40

Be willing to participate in a medically supervised program

If you are excited to commit to this new lifestyle, book an appointment with Dr. Liu by either calling our office or using our online booking calendar.

Testimonials

Words from our patients

"There are no words really...you are saving my life."

Cher B.

“Dr. Liu has always been caring and very thorough in his explanations. He is never short or unwilling to listen to my concerns.”

Bruce S.

“Dr. Liu is a phenomenal weight loss surgeon, who has helped me on my way to a healthy weight loss of 50 pounds and counting. Thank you Dr. Liu!”

Glendora W.

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dr. Liu and his staff. Thank you for giving me a new beginning.”

Corrina P.

"I want to say thank you very much to Dr. Carson Liu and his staff. You have changed my life."

Kimberly

“Dr. Liu and his staff are nonjudgmental, kind, supportive and loving. Dr. Liu, thank you for everything.”

Julie

“Dr. Carson Liu...Wow! The best comment I can give him is that I would let him work on my two daughters who I love extremely.”